"This car climbed Mount Washington"Aidan Acosta

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

At 7:30 am we set off. My father and I wove back and forth over damp rocks, climbed stairs, and slalomed cairns until the first glimpse of our destination — a cell tower — broke through the grey sky. Adrenaline pumping and boots racing at the sight of this momentous checkpoint, we picked up the pace and rushed to the peak of the tallest mountain in the northeastern part of the United States. Clouds blurred the silhouettes of the other Presidentials into thick pencil lines, while fluorescent lights painted the gift shop, cafeteria, and numerous bumper stickers that declared "This Car Climbed Mount Washington.” There my eyes were met with stares that asked, “Why are you guys so wet and dirty and sticky?” My head slowly shook as I thought, “Because I spent the past three days working for this moment.”

Flash back to four years ago: my father was leaving for Oakland, California. The U-Haul van with the irrelevant fun fact on the side left the east coast and traveled the path of back roads to highways until he reached his golden coast. Despite his decision, which my mother called “childish, immature and lacking in foresight” due to its transportation and monetary challenges, we maintain a strong relationship and have a good time when...